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War-Time Insight
Many of those who have gone before us down the frightening corridors
of war and terrorism, have left us the security that can be found
only in God's faithfulness. This weekly column will help us touch
for ourselves the faith of Christians, Jews, and Moslems, many of
whom have suffered death at the hands of terrorists, even at the
hands of each other. The radiance of their peace shines a light
on the world's fragile path.
Twenty years ago, during El Salvador's Civil War, Oscar Romero
delivered a prophetic message. "This week I was warned that I am
on the list of those who will be eliminated," said the Archbishop
of San Salvador in a homily broadcast by radio to tens of thousands
who tuned in each week to listen. "But let there be no doubt," continued
Romero. "No one can kill the voice of justice."
Romero made the following appeal to the men of the armed forces,
"Brothers, you came from our own people. You are killing your own
brothers. Any human order to kill must be subordinate to the law
of God, which says, 'Thou shalt not kill'. No soldier is obliged
to obey an order contrary to the law of God. No one has to obey
an immoral law. It is high time you obeyed your consciences rather
than sinful orders. The church cannot remain silent before such
an abomination. ...In the name of God, in the name of this suffering
people whose cry rises to heaven more loudly each day, I implore
you, I beg you, I order you: stop the repression."
The day following this speech, March 24, 1980, at 6:25 PM, Archbishop
Oscar Romero was celebrating Mass in the chapel of the hospital
in which he lived, when a shot from rang out in the church. Romero
was killed instantly, one more victim of right wing death squads.
Yet twenty years later Oscar Romero and the voice of justice has
never been more alive.
"Peace is a product of justice, but justice is not enough.
Love is necessary, the love that makes us feel that we are brothers
and sisters is properly what makes for true peace. Peace is the
product of justice and love." Oscar Romero
The 23rd Anniversary of the assassination of Oscar
Romero is March 24th.
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